Letters Strung Together
A messy, yet real, update on life lately
As I type this, it’s 9:30pm, and I should be counting sheep, but I’m up and wired. Maybe it’s because I’m a caffeine addict. Maybe it’s the prayers swirling around in my mind. Maybe it’s because my husband still hasn’t finished his night snack before crawling into bed…
Either way, the Lord has always put thoughts in my mind that I just have to get out. I don’t know what it is, but writing has always been such a release for me. The feelings, the ideas, the thoughts, the emotions… they take up mental space until I literally can’t hold them anymore, and I have to type or write them out.
I’ve always called it “letters strung together” because I have this visual of literal letters in my mind being put together by God. And if I don’t write them down, I get overwhelmed.
So here I am, lying down horizontally while the blood rushes away from my quick-moving thumbs and my forearms are getting tired.
What’s the point of this? I’m not sure yet. I’ll probably edit it later, or maybe it’s just for me. Either way, here’s what I’m grateful for, what inspires me, how I’m practicing my faith, and a little encouragement for you.
What I’m grateful for:
The relationship my daughter and I have.
For a long time, I felt a disconnect because I constantly felt like I was nagging her and always “on her case.” Even though I know I’m training her up in the way she should go, I didn’t like feeling like there wasn’t much bonding, laughing, or joy between us some days.
But recently, God has answered my prayers for a closer relationship with my 14-year-old, and it has been so amazing. We laugh so much. We talk about everything. We’re silly, we’re serious, and now I understand why moms say their daughters become their best friends.
We haven’t crossed that line—and we won’t—because I’ll always be her mom first (which means I’ll probably still nag her 😉). But I’m so grateful for the closeness we’ve found. Eternally grateful.
What inspires me:
People stepping out of their comfort zone.
That has always inspired me.
Whether it’s saying yes to coaching your kid’s U5 soccer team as a first-time coach, saying yes to doing announcements at church, or finally sending that text you’ve been putting off… people who choose the uncomfortable thing inspire me.
It takes courage to do things we don’t naturally want to do or don’t feel equipped to do, but it’s almost always worth it.
How I’m practicing my faith:
Verse mapping.
My friend posted her verse mapping journal one day, and I instantly knew I wanted it. I asked her where she got it, she sent me the link right away, and my credit card was charged even faster!
But honestly, it’s been such a Godsend as I prepare my sermon notes. I’m dissecting Scripture, learning the context and history, and digging deeper into God’s heart and what He was communicating to His people. It has been SO amazing.
Encouragement for you:
Get out of your comfort zone.
Take your teen on a coffee date and talk about silly stuff and serious stuff.
Say yes to something you never thought you would.
Reach out to that person you’ve been putting off.
Buy a verse mapping journal (or start a devotional) and see what God might show you through a new spiritual practice.
Basically, I’m encouraging you to shake things up.
Life’s too short not to.
Just in case you were wondering…
Here are two links. One to the verse mapping journal and one to my devotional on being BRAVE!